Plastic Acrylic Beads

Acrylic beads are lightweight, durable and versatile — suitable for jewellery, martenitsi — traditional Bulgarian red-and-white spring charms — children's projects and decorations. They come in many shapes, colours and finishes — matte, glossy, metallic, pearl effect, transparent surface or imitation of another material. To make choosing easier, start by asking what effect you're looking for: a colour accent, elegant shine, a lightweight strand or a decorative element for a seasonal project.

 

Which acrylic beads should you choose?

Project	Suitable type	Why
First bracelet	Solid or two-tone beads	Easy to string and lightweight
Martenitsi	Two-tone, white, red or connector elements	Suitable for red-and-white cord and traditional motifs
Elegant jewellery	Pearl imitation, CCB or metallic beads	Give shine without the weight of metal and glass
Decoration	Transparent, painted, rubber or pendants	Good for seasonal, festive and themed projects

Practical tip: if you're making jewellery for everyday wear, choose lightweight beads with a durable finish. For martenitsi and children's projects, look for shapes that are easy to string. For decoration you can use larger, transparent or painted elements, because weight matters less than the visual effect.

 

Types of acrylic beads

To choose faster, browse acrylic beads by the effect you want to achieve — natural, pearl, metallic, colourful, transparent or decorative.

 

For a natural and vintage look

Antique beads imitate wood and work well in boho, ethnic and handmade accessories. They pair well with cotton, linen, wool, leather and natural colours. Imitation beads are a good choice when you want the look of another material with lower weight and easier handling.

 

For shiny and elegant jewellery

Pearl imitation beads, metallic beads and CCB beads give a pearl or metallic effect without the weight of real metal, glass or stone. CCB beads have a denser metallic coating than standard metallic beads — the difference in durability becomes noticeable with everyday wear. They are suitable for earrings, long strands, elegant bracelets and accents in more formal jewellery.

 

For colourful bracelets, martenitsi and children's projects

Two-tone beads, solid beads, white-base beads and plastic buttons are a practical choice for colourful strands, martenitsi, educational games and easy hobby projects. White-base beads give a more vibrant and clean colour than those with a transparent base — especially with light and pastel shades, the difference is clearly visible. Always check element sizes and age recommendations when working with children.

 

For transparent effect and seasonal decoration

Transparent beads resemble crystal and are suitable for wedding decorations, Christmas ornaments, hanging decorations and delicate accessories. Beads with a silver thread add sparkle without a solid metallic finish and work well in festive compositions.

 

For decorative accents and special motifs

Rubber beads have a grippy surface that doesn't slide along the thread — practical for children's projects and wherever beads need to stay in a fixed position on the strand. Painted beads, coated beads, evil eye beads, connector elements and plastic pendants are suitable for themed bracelets, keychains, souvenirs and decorative projects. Connector elements are used between sections of a martenitsa or bracelet to separate colour groups and give structure to the strand.

 

What are acrylic beads used for

Acrylic beads are used for bracelets, necklaces, earrings, martenitsi, keychains, Christmas decorations, wedding décor, children's craft projects, hanging ornaments and home decoration. Their main advantage is low weight — you can make a longer or more voluminous strand without the finished piece becoming uncomfortable to wear.

 

For jewellery, choose solid, two-tone, pearl or metallic beads depending on the style. For martenitsi, use lightweight beads, connector elements and traditional colours. For Christmas and wedding decoration, transparent, silver and painted beads add light and accents without heavy materials.

 

How to choose plastic acrylic beads

 

Size

If you're a beginner, start with larger beads — around 8–10 mm or more. They are easier to string, clearly visible and allow you to assess how the finished project will look more quickly. Smaller beads are suitable for fine rows, detailed decorations and more precise techniques.

 

Shape

Round beads are the most versatile and arrange easily in bracelets, necklaces and martenitsi. With discs and flat shapes, check the direction of the hole — if the bead lies horizontally on the strand but you want it to hang vertically, you may need an additional jump ring or finding.

 

Finish

The finish changes how the colour looks. A matte surface appears softer and deeper, while a glossy one reflects light and makes the colour more vivid. Pearl, metallic and CCB beads give a more elegant effect, while transparent beads are suitable for light, airy and festive compositions.

 

Next step: once you've chosen your beads, check whether their hole is compatible with the silicone cord, wire or other stringing base you plan to use.

 

What to combine acrylic beads with

For a finished project, combine acrylic beads with a suitable base and connector elements. For bracelets, silicone cord or elastic cord is most commonly used. For earrings, pendants and more structured designs, jewellery wire is convenient. For necklaces and bracelets with a clasp, add bracelet and necklace clasps.

 

For an interesting contrast, combine lightweight acrylic with natural stones, metal spacers or a fabric cord. For more complex constructions, jewellery tools such as pliers, a beading needle and wire cutters will help.

 

Why EM ART

At EM ART you can choose plastic acrylic beads by shape, size, colour, finish and application — for bracelets, necklaces, martenitsi, children's projects and seasonal decoration. When selecting metallic and pearl beads, we check the durability of the coating — thin coatings on cheaper options can flake after a few wears and ruin the finished piece. This makes it easier to find exactly what you need: a lightweight strand, pearl shine, a metallic look without the weight, or a colour accent for a martenitsa.

 

For information on delivery timelines, payment methods and shipping conditions, see our delivery and payment page.

 

Frequently asked questions

 

Are acrylic beads suitable for beginners?

Yes. Acrylic beads are suitable to beginners because they are lightweight, easy to string and more resistant to impact than glass or ceramic beads. For a first project, choose beads around 8–10 mm or larger and a base that passes freely through the hole.

 

What is the difference between CCB and regular acrylic beads?

CCB beads are acrylic beads with a denser metallic finish — most commonly gold or silver. They resemble metal elements but are considerably lighter and more durable than standard metallic beads with everyday wear. Regular acrylic beads offer a wider choice of colours and finishes, including matte, transparent, painted, pearl or solid.

 

Which acrylic beads are best for martenitsi?

For martenitsi, two-tone, solid, white, red and connector elements with traditional motifs are most commonly used. They string easily onto thin silicone cord, twisted yarn or red-and-white cord.

 

How do I clean acrylic beads?

Most acrylic beads can be cleaned with a damp cloth or soft brush. Avoid acetone, alcohol and harsh cleaning products, as these can damage the colour or coating — especially on painted, pearl and metallic beads.

 

What thread should I use with acrylic beads?

For most standard acrylic beads with a hole of around 1–2 mm, silicone cord 0.5–0.8 mm is suitable, but always check the hole diameter in the specific product description. For larger beads you can use jewellery wire, cord or another more sturdy base.